Wonderful

[montana_charlie]

I have always wondered about all the lubes with wax as the major ingredient and then all the oils, all of which are not soluble in water. Then we want the fouling to absorb moisture. I understand that some ingredients can react with the fouling and form soap like substances but can they absorb moisture?

I can't say any of this with the authority of knowledge gained from experience, nor am I able to spend as much time as you in testing of components and theories, but among many things said by long-time BPCR shooters you can find these:

-moisture is released when black powder burns
-some powders burn 'wetter' than others
-moisture from the burn and fats from the lube combine with elements in the fouling to create the 'soap'
-lube needs to augment the moisture, prevent it's premature loss, and substitute for it if it evaporates...to keep the soap soft.

And, Oh, Yeah!...it needs to lubricate to prevent leading.

That sounds impossible to me, but like I said.....
CM

[44man]

Yeah, I think the old timers were WAY smarter then we are when it comes to black powder.
When I look at some of the things they did with no fancy machinery and very little resources, I am nothing but humbled. I figure I only have 1/4 of the brains they had. And to think 40 years old WAS old and 50 was ancient.
All you have to do is read the Constitution and look at what is in Congress now.

[SharpsShooter]

Yeah, I think the old timers were WAY smarter then we are when it comes to black powder.
When I look at some of the things they did with no fancy machinery and very little resources, I am nothing but humbled. I figure I only have 1/4 of the brains they had. And to think 40 years old WAS old and 50 was ancient.
All you have to do is read the Constitution and look at what is in Congress now.

I agree 44man. Just about anyone can assemble accurate smokeless, J@cketed ammunition with little effort or knowledge. BP is a different animal entirely. The old ones understood the limitations of BP and simply worked ways around them. It is truely humbling to read of the level of accuracy that they attained and compare it to what we find ourselves capable of producing.